Damijan Podversic's Malvasia comes from Friuli's borderland hills around Gorizia. Long skin contact gives the aromatic grape an amber colour and a substantial, gently grippy texture. This is a dry wine with an expressive herbal side, shaped by the estate's patient maturation rather than made for quick, chilled sipping.
- Aromas: Herbal and spicy notes, including green pepper and tomato leaf, join the grape's fragrant fruit character for an unusually savoury aromatic profile.
- Palate: Broad and textured, with skin-derived tannins supporting the fruit. Herbal freshness gives definition, while the long finish makes it an engaging partner for substantial dishes.
- Style: A dry, full-bodied amber Malvasia with savoury complexity and gentle tannic grip, best explored slowly rather than served ice cold.
- Winemaking: Extended maceration on the skins is followed by long oak maturation and further bottle ageing. The winemaking includes an unfiltered wine, with natural sediment part of its minimally handled presentation.
- Cellaring: Enjoy now if well stored. These textured wines can develop, but additional cellaring depends on the vintage and bottle condition; keep cool and dark and assess before holding longer.
- Food Pairing: Roasted vegetables, herb-seasoned chicken, pork belly or aged cheese; try it with a dish that includes peppers, herbs or mushrooms.
Malvasia can be much more than a pretty floral white, and this bottle shows how far the grape can go. Let it breathe in the glass and match it with something savoury. It is a lovely choice for a dinner built around flavour and curiosity. Serve cool, not ice cold, in a generous glass; a little air can help the layers open.
Damijan Podversic
On Monte Calvario near Gorizia, close to the Slovenian border, Damijan Podversic has built a deeply personal interpretation of Friuli’s wine heritage. His work centres on the relationship between mature grapes, their skins and the character of the hillside. Ribolla Gialla is the defining variety, accompanied in the collection by Malvasia, Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Chardonnay, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon shaping the reds. The wines reflect a family endeavour shaped by patience, close observation and a conviction that the vineyard should determine what happens in the cellar.
Damijan is particularly associated with long skin contact for white wines, producing amber-coloured expressions with texture, savoury complexity and the capacity to unfold slowly in the glass. Ribolla Gialla is an especially compelling introduction to this approach. His contribution goes beyond the bottle: in 2019, the Nonino award recognised his work promoting Ribolla Gialla and recovering abandoned viticultural land on Monte Calvario. For wine lovers interested in orange wines with a strong sense of origin, Damijan offers a distinctive meeting of regional heritage, personal vision and time.
